Arms of the Regions and Provinces

Monarchy in Belgium

The current king of Belgium is Albert II (born 6-6-1934), brother
of the late king Baudoin I and formerly prince of Liége.
His wife is Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria, daughter of the prince Fulco Ruffo
di Calabria, duke of Guardia Lombarda, count of Sinopoli. Their
children are Philippe (b. 1960), duke of Brabant, Astrid (born 1962,
married to archduke Lorenz of Habsburg-Lorraine), and Laurent (born 1963).

Article 85 [Dynasty]

(1) The King's constitutional powers are hereditary through
the direct, natural, and legitimate descent from H.M. Leopold,
Georges, Chretien, Frederic of Saxe-Coburg, by order of
primogeniture.
(2) The successor described in Paragraph (1) shall be deprived
of his rights to the crown, if he marries without the King's
consent or, in the absence thereof, without the consent of
those exercising the King's powers in cases provided for by the
Constitution.
(3) His lost right may nonetheless be re-established by the
King, or, in the absence thereof, by those exercising the King's
powers in cases provided for by the Constitution, in the event
of agreement on the part of both Houses.

Article 86 [Succession]

(1) For lack of a descendant to H. M. Leopold, Georges,
Chretien, Frederic of Saxe-Coburg, the King may name his
successor, with the approval of the Houses, in such a manner as
prescribed in Article 87.
(2) In the absence of a nomination undertaken in the
above-mentioned manner, the throne shall be vacant.

Note that, by virtue of article 199, the disposition of article
85 only became applicable with the descent of the present king.

Titles and Nobility

The eldest son of the sovereign is titled duke of Brabant, his eldest son
is titled count of Hainault.

Nobility in Belgium exists: article 114 of the Constitution provides that
"the King may confer titles of nobility, while remaining unable to attach
privileges to the latter". The only
nobility and titled nobility is that recognized or conferred by William I king
of the Low Countries (1815-30) or a king of the Belgians (since 1831). From
1814 to 1994 1631 families have been declared noble:

761 nobility from before 1795 (when French laws abolishing nobility came
into effect), 403 remain

11 nobility under Napoleon (1808-14), 6 remain

37 nobility granted by William I (1814-30), 14 remain

758 between 1831 and 1994, 647 remain.
As of 1986, about 1000 families remained, with 9 princes, 5 dukes, 10 marquis,
85 counts, 35 viscounts, 317 barons, 113 knights. The non-titled nobility
use the title of jonkheer (jonkvrouw) or squire.

The princely and ducal families are:

Arenberg: prince of HGE (Holy German Empire) 1576, recognized in Belgium in 1953